Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC) is set to undergo a significant expansion, increasing its bed capacity from 500 to 1,500 to accommodate the growing demand for healthcare services.

Based on the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the government allocated PHP 1.8 billion for EVMC’s rehabilitation.

An initial PHP 800 million will serve as seed funding for the Legacy Building, which will be constructed on an 8,000-square-meter lot in front of EVMC. An additional PHP 700 million is earmarked for Phase 1 of the rehabilitation, with PHP 300 million to be apportioned for urgent medical equipment.

Dr. Joseph Michael Jaro, Medical Center Chief of EVMC, highlighted that the expansion will improve access to healthcare for patients across Eastern Visayas, including those from as far as Samar Island. This development comes as EVMC continues to operate beyond its current capacity, often facing high patient volumes that strain its resources.

If all goes according to plan, the new facility is anticipated to be completed by 2028, marking a notable advancement in the healthcare landscape of Eastern Visayas.